City seeks grant to demolish 46 dilapidated, vacant structures

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Chillicothe News - Chillicothe, MO

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Posted Mar. 27, 2013 at 12:21 PM
Updated Mar 27, 2013 at 12:23 PM

Posted Mar. 27, 2013 at 12:21 PM
Updated Mar 27, 2013 at 12:23 PM

Forty-six of the 68 structures identified as being uninhabited and failing to meet city codes are targeted for demolition. The city of Chillicothe is applying for grant money to help raze the structures.

Council members, during their regular meeting Monday evening, considered three proposals of target areas, and settled on the proposal that involved the demolition of the most structures. This particular proposal would eliminate all the structures failing to meet code in the Second and Third wards, one from the Fourth Ward, and three from the First Ward.

The properties on the list were identified for the council members, but not made public. The city is now seeking consent from the property owners to proceed with demolition, if the grant is approved. It was noted that signed consent forms likely would increase the chances for the city to be awarded the grant.

After identifying the target area, the council passed resolutions related to the grant application.

A public hearing is scheduled for April 11, to discuss the city's grant application. As part of the hearing process, citizens will be asked to verbally assist in the completion of a needs assessment document. The document will detail what the residents feel are the strengths and weaknesses of the community. The city needs as much local participation as possible in order to reflect the true desires of the community as a whole, as well as the comments relating to the proposed project application.

The city is proposing a neighborhood development project, which will address the demolition of vacant/dilapidated structures within the city limits. All citizens are encouraged to attend in order to comment on the proposed activities.

The city has set aside $38,839 to be used for demolition. In order to address the proposed target area, it is estimated that the city's local match would increase by $100.

One optional target area would encompass 27 structures in an area bounded by Third Street, McNally, 11th and Woodward. This proposal would not require additional cash.

The other optional target area included 37 structures and would remove all the structures violating code in Wards one, two and four, as well as nine from the Third Ward. This proposal was estimated to require an additional $1,461 from the city.

Following the hearing, the application will be submitted. A decision is expected by May 15, with notification being given sometime in fall.